Editorial Indonesia: An Emerging Market Economy Beset by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Despite an enormous population and growing economy, the nation of Indonesia has some of the world’s highest concentrations of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These NTDs may thwart future national growth and recent gains. Yet, Indonesia and its Ministry of Health, together with the World Health Organization (WHO), have embarked on an ambitious effort to quickly assemble a health and scientific infrastructure suitable for eliminating its NTDs. The nation of Indonesia is the world’s largest island nation (approximately 17,000 islands of which 5,000–6,000 are inhabited) and the fourth most populated nation behind China, India, and the United States (Figure 1) [1]. The nation is tied with the Netherlands as the world’s 16th largest economy [1]. According to the World Bank, Indonesia together with South Korea and the BRIC (Brazil